US 11,869,299 B2
Concurrent utilization of game components in multiple game segments
Brett Hawkins, Plymouth, MN (US)
Filed by KING SHOW GAMES, INC., Minnetonka, MN (US)
Filed on Nov. 14, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/986,847.
Application 17/986,847 is a continuation of application No. 17/344,379, filed on Jun. 10, 2021, granted, now 11,501,603.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/037,054, filed on Jun. 10, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2023/0075391 A1, Mar. 9, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. G07F 17/32 (2006.01); G07F 17/34 (2006.01)
CPC G07F 17/3213 (2013.01) [G07F 17/3258 (2013.01); G07F 17/34 (2013.01)] 9 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of operating a gaming apparatus for facilitating player participation in a gaming activity, the gaming apparatus including a display device configured to display a first game segment having a game grid showing portions of a plurality of reel strips and a second game segment having a plurality of jackpot meters each associated with a game symbol and a symbol collector, a user interface including at least one user input configured to enable a player to initiate and participate in the gaming activity, a wager input device structured to identify and validate player assets, and to permit the player to participate in the gaming activity when the player assets are provided, and a processor, the method comprising:
the processor communicating data that results in a display, by the display device, of extending the at least one of the plurality of reel strips from the first game segment to the second game segment;
utilizing the game grid in the first game segment to determine, by the processor and based on an output from a random number generator, a random outcome for the plurality of reel strips displayed in the first game segment;
determining, by the processor, one or more second game segment outcomes in the second game segment by evaluating whether a game symbol displayed by the extended at least one of the plurality of reel strips respectively positioned adjacent to a respective one of the jackpot meters matches the respective game symbol associated with that jackpot meter;
collecting, by the processor, any game symbol determined to match a respective one of the jackpot meters in the symbol collector associated with the respective jackpot meter; and
the processor communicating data that results in a display, by the display device, of awarding a jackpot prize associated with any jackpot meter where the symbol collector associated with that respective jackpot meter is filled.